Ieq Capital LLC Purchases 36,734 Shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. $UPS

Key Points

• Ieq Capital LLC increased its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. by **824.4%**, acquiring an additional **36,734 shares** during the first quarter, bringing their total ownership to **41,190 shares** worth approximately **$4.53 million**.
• United Parcel Service reported **$1.55 EPS** for its latest quarter, which was slightly below the consensus estimate of **$1.56**, along with a revenue of **$21.20 billion**, surpassing expectations of **$20.90 billion**.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of **$1.64 per share**, with a payout ratio of **97.62%**, reflecting a strong annualized yield of **7.5%** for shareholders of record.

Ieq Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS - Free Report) by 824.4% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 41,190 shares of the transportation company's stock after purchasing an additional 36,734 shares during the period. Ieq Capital LLC's holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $4,530,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in UPS. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the first quarter valued at $26,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. Citizens National Bank Trust Department lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 525.0% during the first quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 250 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the period. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of United Parcel Service during the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Hemington Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 68.9% during the first quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 282 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.26% of the company's stock.

United Parcel Service Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of United Parcel Service stock traded up $0.27 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $87.54. The company's stock had a trading volume of 6,834,049 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,057,620. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 12 month low of $84.28 and a 12 month high of $145.01. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $94.68 and a 200 day moving average of $101.01. The company has a market capitalization of $74.20 billion, a PE ratio of 13.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 1.32.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The transportation company reported $1.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.56 by ($0.01). United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 39.61% and a net margin of 6.34%.The business had revenue of $21.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.79 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 18th will be issued a $1.64 dividend. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 18th. United Parcel Service's dividend payout ratio is 97.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have weighed in on UPS shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $110.00 to $107.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Barclays cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $90.00 to $80.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $124.00 to $120.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. UBS Group cut their target price on United Parcel Service from $124.00 to $118.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, BNP Paribas raised United Parcel Service to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $112.81.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other United Parcel Service news, Director William R. Johnson purchased 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 31st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $86.50 per share, for a total transaction of $432,500.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 10,160 shares of the company's stock, valued at $878,840. The trade was a 96.90% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Christiana Smith Shi purchased 500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 22nd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $88.17 per share, with a total value of $44,085.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 500 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $44,085. This represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders acquired 17,182 shares of company stock worth $1,477,382 over the last ninety days. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

United Parcel Service Profile

United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of express letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States.